Rajasthan Royals Sign 13-Year-Old Prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi Ahead of IPL 2025

The Rajasthan Royals have made headlines by signing 13-year-old cricket sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi for ₹1.1 crore during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction. The young talent from Bihar is set to become the youngest player in the IPL, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning cricket career.

Head coach Rahul Dravid expressed his enthusiasm about Suryavanshi joining the squad. “Vaibhav came to our trials, and we were really impressed with what we saw,” Dravid said in a video shared on the IPL’s official social media handle. “He’s got some really good skills, and we believe the Rajasthan Royals will provide a great environment for him to grow.”

“Rajasthan Royals will be a good environment for Vaibhav Suryavanshi” 🩷

Head Coach Rahul Dravid speaks about the youngest Royal and the look of the #RR squad post the #TATAIPLAuction 👌👌#TATAIPL | @rajasthanroyals pic.twitter.com/GuCNpWvgsD

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) November 26, 2024

The bidding war for the teenager was intense, with both Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals vying for his signature. Ultimately, the Royals secured Suryavanshi after a fierce competition.

Born on March 27, 2011, in Bihar, Vaibhav Suryavanshi made his first-class debut for Bihar in January 2024 at just 12 years and 284 days old. Last month, he showcased his exceptional talent by scoring a century off just 58 balls in an India U19 match against Australia in Chennai. In his five first-class matches to date, he has scored 100 runs with a highest score of 41 and is currently participating in the Ranji Trophy.

Vaibhav’s journey to professional cricket has not been without challenges. His father, Sanjeev Suryavanshi, spoke about the family’s struggles and the crucial support they received from Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) President Rakesh Tiwari. “If Rakesh Tiwari sir wasn’t there, I don’t think my child would have got the chance to play cricket for Bihar,” he said in a release from the BCA. “We even had to sell our land due to financial issues, but I’m happy for Vaibhav. He is still a kid and might not understand what he has achieved today. I would like to thank Rakesh Tiwari sir, who saw potential in my son and gave him the chance.”

Currently representing Bihar in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Vaibhav made his T20 debut against Rajasthan on November 23. His rapid rise through the ranks has caught the attention of cricket enthusiasts nationwide.